News

Bayham cases drop drastically

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Bayham took a huge step downward on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The previous day, Southwestern Public Health was reporting 32 ongoing cases in that municipality, all related to an outbreak among farm workers residing in bunkhouses. On Tuesday, that number was just four. Aylmer and area continued to…

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Cases pop up all over Oxford

The number of confirmed by COVID-19 cases rose to two from one in Aylmer and area on Monday, Nov. 9, but Bayham saw a slight improvement, dropping by two to 32, Southwestern Public Health reported. However, in Oxford County, new cases popped up all over the map. Woodstock and area has eight cases, Norwich and…

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Several hundred march through Aylmer for “Freedom”

About 750 protestors, some from as far as Toronto, marched through Aylmer on Saturday, Nov. 7, against COVID-19 pandemic precautions, insisting every Canadian should be free to choose what measures they did or didn’t take. The march started almost an hour later than expected, and by 4 p.m. was heading back to its starting point…

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Protestors line street before “Freedom” rally

“Freedom” rally attendees lined Talbot Street in front of East Elgin Community Complex sometimes chanting “freedom” and displaying signs in advance of the rally, which includes speakers and a march. Sign messages pictured include: COVID-19 = Evil Agenda Do what is right, not what is easy I’d rather die of COVID-19 than loneliness You stand…

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Counter-protesters ask, “Be Kind, Wear a Mask”

Counter-protesters took to the street in downtown Aylmer on Saturday morning, Nov. 7, to ask passing motorists to “Be Kind, Wear a Mask.” Some passing drivers honked in support. The counter-protest was in response to a “Freedom March” being held that afternoon insisting that Canadians had the right to decide for themselves if they wanted…

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OPP traffic warning for Aylmer protest

Elgin Ontario Provincial Police is warning area motorists to be aware of potential traffic delays during their travels today between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Highway 3 (Talbot Street) at the west end of Aylmer. “Protest activities in the area may periodically delay or interrupt the normal flow of traffic and at times traffic…

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“Aylmer Cares” rally scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7

A “demonstration of support” for COVID-19 health policies, the town of Aylmer, elected officials, front line workers, first responders, local businesses and veterans is scheduled Saturday, Nov. 7. All COVID-19 precautions will be adhered to – attendees will be in small groups of 15, wearing a face covering, and maintaining a physical distance of six…

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Thursday’s COVID-19 count

Southwestern Public Health was monitoring 46 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Elgin, St. Thomas and Oxford on Thursday, Nov. 5, most of them in Bayham. The number in that community increased slightly to 35 from 34, while Aylmer and area and St. Thomas and area remained steady at one case each. Oxford saw some decline,…

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Threats to Aylmer Mayor come to a sudden stop

Aylmer Mayor Mary French was inundated with calls and emails, some of which were threats, after declaring a state of emergency in Aylmer on Monday, Nov. 2, ahead of a “freedom march” at the East Elgin Community Complex. After publicly announcing the situation on CTV London the next day, she said the messages have come…

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49 cases on Wednesday, Nov. 4

Southwestern Public Health was tracking 49 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Elgin, St. Thomas and Oxford on Wednesday morning, Nov. 4. They included 34 cases related to a farm bunkhouse outbreak in Bayham, one in Aylmer, one in St. Thomas, seven in Woodstock, three in Tillsonburg, two in Norwich and one in South-West Oxford. Across…

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